Protest blocks major intersection

Idle No More supporters block intersection

Dozens of Idle No More supporters blocked traffic at one of Peterborough's busiest intersection on Friday (Jan. 11) afternoon.
People carrying placards and shouting chants circled the Lansdowne Street and The Parkway intersection for about 15 minutes to get their message across.

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(PETERBOROUGH) Dozens of Idle No More supporters blocked traffic at one of Peterborough's busiest intersection on Friday (Jan. 11) afternoon.
People carrying placards and shouting chants circled the Lansdowne Street and The Parkway intersection for about 15 minutes to get their message across.
"We are protectors of the land," says Suzanne Smoke, as protesters started to clear the roadway.
"We are protecting our water for the next seven generations. Not just for Native races, but for all the races of man."
Ms Smoke, a member of Alderville First Nation, is pleased with the amount of support the Idle No More movement is receiving, not only in Peterborough, but across the world.
"We have 5.5 million followers all across the world," she says.
"We are finally protecting our inherent lands and water rights from greedy corporations and a government that's as crooked as anything."
According to a brochure handed out at the protest on Friday, Idle No More started off as a grass-roots movements to stop Bill C-45. The bill was passed on Dec. 14 and First Nations communities now say they will have no consultation with communities in terms of changes to the Indian Act; fearing they will have no power to stop any attempt to take Native land. On ON Dec. 4, Ontario chiefs were invited to parliament by the opposing party to participate in the discussion, but were prohibited from entering the premises. In response, Attawapiskat First Nation Chief Theresa Spence declared a hunger strike, drawing much media attention to the cause.
That spilled over in Peterborough on Friday as supporters gathered to get their message across. Some motorists honked as the road was blocked. Two drivers myKawartha.com spoke to were not pleased.
"(Stephen) Harper is in Ottawa as far as I know. There's nothing I can do about it here," said one driver.
Police did arrive and tried to clear the intersection.
Another rally is planned for Tuesday (Jan. 15) at Trent University at noon.